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A Sunday School Kindergarten 



A Sunday School 
Kindergarten 



A PRACTICAL METHOD OF TEACHING 
IN THE INFANT ROOM 



By 

Alexander C. Havers tick 

Archdeacon of the Aroostook, Diocese of Maine 

Author of "The Churchman's Ready Reference," "The Historic 
Church of America," etc. 



Milwaukee 
THE YOUNG CHURCHMAN CO. 

1906 






copyright by 

The Young Churchman Co., 

1906. 



7 3 8- a k cf 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER. PAGE. 

I.— The Room 1 

II. — Teachers 6 

III. — Order of Exercises 8 

IV.— The Music 10 

V.— Drills 16 

VI.— The Catechism 22 

VII.— Table Work 28 

VIII. — Oral Teaching and Object Lessons - - 33 

IX. — The Church Year 38 

X. — Rewards of Merit 46 

XI. — Missions of the Church 52 

XII. — Visiting 55 



THE KOOM. 

The room for a Sunday School Kinder- 
garten should not be too small for the necessary 
drills and exercises, nor too large to look like 
a barrack. 

Small, strong, low chairs, having rubber tips 
on the end of the legs, should be provided. The 
tips deaden sound, and prevent the chairs from 
being moved about. Seats ten inches square 
will be sufficiently large. 

The floor should be marked as in the follow- 
ing diagram. The rectangular spaces are 
14 x 21 inches, and the aisles between the chairs 
are 14 inches. The room is 17' 3" x 25' 6" and 
accommodates 42 pupils. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 



Chairs are only provided from A to F inclu- 
sive. When the tables are to be placed in posi- 
tion, the chairs in the B and E rows are removed 

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PLA3T OF FLOOR. 

to rows G- and I. The tables are then placed in 
B, E, and H rows, and the chairs in A and D 
rows are turned around. 

The tables upon which the children are to 
work are 30 inches wide, 24 inches high, and 
12| feet long. Four sets of legs to fold up 
like a ladies' sewing table will make the top 
sufficiently firm. The top should have a line 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 3 

down the middle and also be divided into 
21-inch sections, so that each child will be able 
to keep in his or her own place. 



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Under the top, drawers, 5 x 10 inches, should 
be placed, working on a pivot, and kept in place 
by a spring. 

Hooks should be placed around the side and 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 



back walls, upon which to hang the chairs when 
not in use. These should be high enough so 
that the legs will not be in the way of the heads 
of the children at drill, and yet low enough for 
them to reach, when needed. Each hook, and 
the bottom and top of each chair seat, should be 
lettered and numbered. This will prevent con- 
fusion, and each child will always have the 
same chair. 

When the tables are not in use, they will 
stand on edge against the walls and held in 
place by a spring. 



ABCDEFCHI 




SHOWING BOOM WITH TABLES IN POSITION. 

Chairs in rows B and E are placed in rows G 
and I. Tables are placed in rows B, E, and H. 
It will be seen that between rows C and D, and 
F and G, is a space of 14 inches. As the chil- 
dren will be apt to draw their chairs close under 
the table, the space will^be wider, giving ample 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 5 

room for a teacher to pass between, and super- 
vise the work on the tables. 

The walls should be adorned with pictures. 
Care should be taken with their selection. One 
that is religious, or artistic, may be very un- 
suitable. Thus Michael Angelo's Moses would 
have no significance. David with Goliath's 
head would suggest the whole story of his fight. 
Elijah fed by ravens would be appropriate, but 
Elijah rebuking Ahab would not. The Cruci- 
fixion should always have its place. Pictures 
should not be too small. 

On the front wall a blank space should be 
left, upon which to hang the picture of the les- 
son. No other picture should hang near that 
spot, less the attention of the children wander 
to it, and be distracted. On the front wall 
should hang a black-board with all its furniture, 
as eraser, colored crayons, ruler, and pointer. 

A cupboard might stand in one corner, to 
hold the paraphernalia of the drills and exer- 
cises. The children should be taught order, and 
nothing should be allowed to lie around. 



II. 

TEACHEES. 

Unless the class is very small, say only five 
or six, there should be two teachers. A prin- 
cipal to guide the whole work and lead in 
the exercises. The assistant will see that the 
pupils conform. One will usually stand at the 
head of the class and the other among the 
children. 

It is not necessary here to name the quali- 
fications of a teacher. They are the same as 
other kind. They should be patient, gentle, 
winning, and capable. 

Besides the two teachers, there should be an 
organist, especially when the class is large. 
This would preferably be a young man. When 
not playing, he could assist in arranging the 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 7 

chairs and tables as needed, distribute the 
paraphernalia used, keep the roll, and other- 
wise assist in the work. 

Teachers should employ every minute of the 
time, and not allow a single one to be idle. For 
rest, change the exercise, but do not have a ces- 
sation from work, for that will give opportunity 
for talk and disorder, distract the children's 
minds, and difficulty will be found in securing 
order. 

Blackboard work is a very important fea- 
ture, and every teacher should become familiar 
with its use. Even the inexperienced and un- 
talented can learn to draw. For a guide in 
practising, see Florence H. DarwelFs The 
Blackboard Class for 8. S. Teachers, published 
by W. A. Wilde Co., Boston, 25 cts. 



III. 

OEDEE OF EXEECISES. 

1. — One tap of the bell — Children prepare to come 
to order. After an interval of five seconds — 

2. — Two taps (an interval of two seconds between 
them) — All come to order. 

3. — General Hymn, not one with a drill action. 

4. — Creed. The assistant and organist should 
stand among the children to encourage them 
to join in the recitation. 

5. — The Lord's Prayer. This is to be followed by- 
some simple collects like "Direct us, Lord," 
not changing them, so that the children may 
become familiar with them. Always close 
with "The grace." 

6. — The Lesson, or explanation of a picture. 

7. — The Drill, or sewing, or drawing. 

8. — One tap of the bell, as before. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 9 

9. — Two taps of the bell, as before. 
10. — Questions — Announcements. 
11. — The Collection, to be taken up by two boys. 
12. — Hymn, as before. 
13. — Closing Prayer. 
14. — Silent prayer. This is important. It prepares 

the children for the silent prayer in church. 
15. — Dismissal. This should be done quietly and 

orderly. 



IV. 

THE MUSIC. 

The music of the Kindergarten should be 
simple and easy. The words should have a 
jingle, and yet express a truth. Tunes are 
not to be selected merely because pretty, but 
because they have an easy melody. If a suit- 
able tune is found without appropriate words 
set to it, adapt the tune to other words. Thus 
the Gospel hymn, 

What a friend we have in Jesus, 

will go to 556 in the Church Hymnal. 

Heavenly Father, send Thy blessing; 

Or 654, 

More love to Thee, O Christ, 

will go to the old tune of 

There is a happy land, 
by repeating the next to the last line. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 11 

Any 6.5. four lines will go to "Little drops 
of water." 

While the Church Hymnal is not an ideal 
collection for small children, we cannot begin 
too soon to familiarize them with books used in 
the Church services. 

Always sing the same words to the same 
tune, and vice versa, so that the one will sug- 
gest the other. It is not well to have too large 
a repetoire of hymns. If children love a tune, 
they will love to repeat it. Occasionally a new 
tune might be learnt, by practising it during 
the last fifteen minutes of the lesson period. 
In selecting hymns, those with a chorus are pre- 
ferable. At such rehearsal, the children might 
be permitted to sit, because their mind will be 
more at ease to catch the tune and words, and 
because it is well to draw the distinction be- 
tween singing to praise God, and singing to 
learn a new hymn. 

Among general hymns from the Church 
Hymnal, the following have been found the 
greatest favorites: 

550 — Jesus, high in glory. 

553 — There's a friend for little children. 

562 — I think when I read that sweet story of old. 



12 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

577 — In the vineyard of our Father (to "Little 
Clusters"). 

582— Stand up, stand up for Jesus (to "Webb"). 

583 — Work, for the night is coming (to "Dili- 
gence"). 

Among hymns very popular with adults, and 
also easily learnt by children, are : 
335 — Jesu, lover of my soul. 
336 — Rock of Ages, cleft for me. 
344 — Nearer, my God, to Thee. 
345 — My faith looks up to Thee. 
149 — Jesus, name of wondrous love (to St. Bees). 

HYMNS ON THE CHURCH. 

485—1 love Thy Kingdom, Lord (to St. Thomas). 
489 — Pleasant are Thy courts above (to St. 

George's, Windsor). 
491 — The Church's One Foundation (to Aurelia). 

When hymns are selected for the Church 
Year, it is well to point out the event commem- 
orated, and what words of the hymn are appro- 
priate. 

FOR ADVENT. 

39 — Lo, He comes with clouds descending (to 

St. Enoch). 
45 — Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel. (This has 

a Chorus.) 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 13 

FOR CHRISTMAS. 

51 — Hark, the herald angels sing (to Mendels- 
sohn, in which the first two lines are re- 
peated as a Chorus). 

54 — While shepherds watch their flocks by night. 

57 — Sing, oh sing, this blessed morn. (This 
has a chorus.) 
540 — Once in royal David's city. 

58 — O little town of Bethlehem, — is a beautiful 
carol, and so is — 

59 — It came upon the midnight clear. 

This is a large collection for the two Sun- 
days when they can be used, but all are suitable. 

FOR EPIPHANY. 

64 — When from the East the wise men came. 
(Selected for its words. Find a suitable 
L. M. tune.) 
65 — As with gladness men of old (to Dix). 
Have a star drawn on the blackboard, and tell 
the story of the wise men. 

FOR LENT. 

79 — Forty days and forty nights. 
89 — Saviour, when in dust to Thee. 

FOR PALM SUNDAY. 

90 — All glory, laud and honor. (Call attention 
to verse 4.) 



14 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

561 — When Jesus left His Father's throne. (See 

verse 3.) 
544 — There is a green hill far away. 

FOR EASTER. 

112 — Jesus Christ is risen to-day. 

116 — Angels roll the rock away (to Arimathea). 

117 — He is risen, He is risen (to Unser Herscher). 

The little ones will always sing the first line, 
even if their voices drop out when the words change 
on the next line. 

FOR ASCENSION. 

545 — Golden harps are sounding (to St. Theresa). 

FOR WHITSUNDAY. 

377 — Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove. (Have 
a dove on the blackboard, or a picture of 
Christ's Baptism.) 

FOR TRINITY. 

137—0 Holy, Holy, Holy Lord (to Wareham). 

Explain the three Holies, and show how each 
verse is addressed to a different Person of the Trin- 
ity, then to all collectively in verse 4. 

383— Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. 
A review of the whole Church Year is found in 
537 — Glory to the Blessed Jesus. 

Many of these hymns for the Church sea- 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 15 

sons can be used at other times, and then the 
tunes will become more familiar. But the ap- 
propriateness of the words should only be ex- 
plained during the season. Always have the 
number of the hymn on a hymn-board, and 
children who can read a little should have 
Hymnals. 

By way of variation, near the close of the 
session, an occasional solo by one of the teach- 
ers, or friend of the school, or one of the chil- 
dren, would be both interesting and instructive, 
if the tune was easily caught, and the words 
simple and clearly enunciated. Two or three 
of the children might be selected to sing to- 
gether the verses of a hymn and all join in the 
chorus. These suggestions will show how mu- 
sic can be made an adjunct to teaching. 



DEILLS. 

Children all like drills. If they regard 
them as play, they must be taught that in Sun- 
day School the play is for a purpose. The fol- 
lowing are suggestive. Books of drills abound, 
but none from them should be selected because 
of pretty movements. Every act in the Sunday 
School should have a Christian purpose. 

Some hymns are adapted to marching, as — 

516 — Onward, Christian soldiers. (A large boy- 
carries a cross in front of the line.) 
508 — Am I a soldier of the cross ? 
509 — Soldiers of Christ, arise. 

When there is to be a drill, call the class to 
order by taps of the bell. Cause all to stand 
up. The chairs and tables will be removed by 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 17 

the assistant and organist. It might be possible 
to teach the children to file to the wall and hang 
up their own chairs, returning orderly to their 
places. 

The order will be given, "Eront row left 
face, other rows right face." The squares on 
the floor will enable positions to be assigned in 
forming figures. Cross, triangles, and stars 
can be formed thus, children standing in their 
proper squares : 



18 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 











































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Hymn 253 — Fling out the banner (to Camden). 

Each child carries a missionary flag. This 
can be made of paper, a red cross on a white 
ground mounted on a stick : 



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At the words, "Ming out," the flag will be 
waved. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 19 

Hymn 515 — Brightly gleams our banner. 

A boy stands in the centre of the room hold- 
ing a banner of the cross. The children walk 
around it and point with the finger at the words 
"Brightly gleams," etc. 

The following verses can be sung to the chil- 
dren's tune of "London bridge is falling 
down" : 

1 This is the way we cross ourselves,* 

Cross ourselves, 

Cross ourselves, 
This is the way we cross ourselves 
When we enter church. (Sign of the cross.) 

2 This is the way we kneel in prayer, 

Kneel in prayer, 

Kneel in prayer, 
This is the way we kneel in prayer, 
When we pray to God. (All kneeling.) 

3 This is the way we stand and sing, 

Stand and sing, 

Stand and sing, 
This is the way we stand and sing, 
When we worship God. (Head erect.) 



* This verse can be omitted by those not caring to 
teach this action, "although the Church knoweth no worthy 
cause of scruple concerning the same." Even small children 
can be taught an act of reverence on first entering church. 



20 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

4 This is the way we sit to hear, 

Sit to hear, 

Sit to hear, 
This is the way we sit to hear, 
When the Bible's read. 

5 This is the way we hold our book, 

Hold our book, 

Hold our book, 
This is the way we hold our book, 
When we read our part. 

5 This is the way we bow our head, 
Bow our head, 
Bow our head, 
This is the way we bow our head, 
When we say the Creed. 

7 This is the way we clasp our hands, 

Clasp our hands, 

Clasp our hands, 
This is the way we clasp our hands, 
When to altar go. 

8 This is the way wef hold our hands, 

Hold our hands, 

Hold our hands, 
This is the way we hold our hands, 
When Communion take.$ 



f Or, This is the way to hold our hands. 

X The right hand resting on the palm of the left. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 21 

9 This is the way we droop our eyes, 

Droop our eyes, 

Droop our eyes, 
This is the way we droop our eyes, 
When from altar come. 



VI. 

THE CATECHISM. 

Unless the children are very bright, their 
age will suggest omitting all attempts at teach- 
ing the Catechism. The Creed and the Lord's 
Prayer are excepted, and possibly the Ten Com- 
mandments. If the latter are taught, it might 
be well to abbreviate the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 
10th, using only the first clause. 

Besides the regular use of the Creed and 
Lord's Prayer in the opening service, occasion- 
ally the whole class should say them in concert 
as a recitation, or to correct any errors which 
may creep in, or to encourage others not yet 
in the habit of saying them, to join with the 
others. Those who do not know these two fun- 
damentals of the Christian religion, should be 
taught them orally, phrase by phrase. This 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 23 

can be done with each child separately, or in 
groups of two and three. As an encouragement 
to learn them at home, give each child a card 
with the Prayer printed on it. 

When that is known perfectly, and the Creed 
is taken up, give another card. These are 
printed in colors by various publishers. Care 
should be taken that the Lord's Prayer card 
contains the Prayer Book version, and not that 
of King James' Bible. 

The Commandments can be taught by Bible 
pictures and stories. Thus: 

1st — Noah offering his sacrifice after coming out 
of the ark. 

2nd — The golden calf. 

3rd — Peter and the cock crowing. 

4th— The Church at Troas. 

5th — Jesus subject to His parents. 

6th — Cain and Abel. 

7th — Joseph and Potipher's wife. 

8th — Judas and the bag. 

9th — Ananias and Sapphira. 
10th— Gehazi. 

Explain the Baptismal rite to the children. 
At times take them to the church to see it ad- 
ministered. Ask them if they are baptized. 



24 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

When, by whom, where ? They can obtain this 
information from their parents. 

Tell them that Baptism makes them "the 
child of God," thus using the very language of 
the Catechism, which they will recognize when 
older. The author has found it very effective 
in telling them that they are God's child, as 
on earth they are papa's child, and live in 
papa's house, and eat at papa's table (though 
some may be too young to come to the table 
until older), so as God's child, they should 
come to God's house (the church) on God's Day 
(Sunday), and when older come to God's table 
(the Holy Communion). 

Encourage the children to come to church. 
Remind them that at their Baptism, their god- 
parents were told that they were to "call upon 
him to hear sermons." 

The following Catechism has been found 
easy to remember in after years. One part at a 
time should be learnt and the whole recited in 
concert by the class : 

THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 

I. 

1. Who made you? 
God made me. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 25 

2. In how many parts did God make you? 
God made me in two parts. 

3. What are those parts? 
Body and soul. 

II. 

1. How many gods are there? 
There is only one God. 

2. How many Persons are there in God? 
There are Three Persons in God. 

3. What are the names of those Three Persons? 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

ni. 

1. Who is God's Son? 
Jesus Christ is God's Son. 

2. What did Jesus do for us? 
Jesus died for our sins. 

3. How did Jesus die? 
Jesus died on the cross. 

IV. 

1. When was Jesus oorn? 

Jesus was born on Christmas Day. 

2. When did Jesus die? 
Jesus died on Good Friday. 

3. When did Jesus rise from the dead? 
Jesus rose on Easter. 

4. When did Jesus ascend to heaven? 

Jesus ascended to heaven on Ascension Day. 



26 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

V. 

1. Where is Jesus now? 
Jesus is now in heaven. 

2. Who will go to heaven? 
Good people will go to heaven. 

3. How does Jesus take us to heaven? 
Jesus takes us to heaven by His Church. 

VI. 

1. How were we made members of the Church? 
"We were made members of the Church in 

Baptism. 

2. What comes after Baptism? 
Confirmation comes after Baptism. 

3. How are we kept in the Church? 

The Holy Communion keeps us in the Church. 

VII. 

1. Which is the Lord's Day? 
Sunday is the Lord's Day. 

2. Which is the Lord's House? 
The Church is the Lord's House. 

3. Which is the Lord's Supper? 

The Holy Communion is the Lord's Supper. 

4. Which is God's Book? 
The Bible is God's Book. 

The author some years ago prepared a met- 
rical version of the Church Catechism, follow- 
ing its language as near as rhyme would per- 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 27 

mit. It can be sung to such tunes as Aurelia, 
Greenland, Munich, or Webb. The verses are 
printed in parallel columns with the Church 
Catechism. It is published by the Church Pub- 
lishing Co. of New York, price 5 cts. 



VII. 

TABLE WOKK. 

It has already been explained about remov- 
ing certain rows of chairs to make room for 
tables, and placing those chairs in the rear of 
the room. 

SEWING CAEDS. 

The Church Publishing Co. of New York 
issue Bible sewing cards. There is a printed 
story of a picture to be sewed. The picture is 
an outline along which are dots. These are to 
be punctured with a large pin, and then a stitch 
taken from hole to hole. Directions are given 
as to the color of thread to use on the various 
parts. 

The picture of Giving the Law shows the 
two tables of stone with Koman numerals for 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 29 

the Commandments. The stones are to be out- 
lined in gray. The numbers can be left as 
printed, or stitched in some other color. 

The story of the boy Jesus in the Temple is 
simply the head of Christ from Hoffman's pic- 
ture, with radiating rays to be stitched in 
yellow. 

The story of Daniel is represented by an out- 
line of a lion, to be stitched in yellow. 

Each leaflet accompanying the picture has 
appropriate verses and questions on the story. 

TEACING PICTURES. 

Boys may not take kindly to sewing cards, 
but drawing cards might appeal to them the 
better. On the same line as above described 
are pictures published by the Franklin Press 
Co. of Petersburg, Va. This also consists of an 
outline picture and over it a leaf of tracing 
paper, on which the child traces the picture and 
prints underneath the title. 

Other sewing and tracing pictures can be 
made by the teacher and copies multiplied by a 
duplicator or mimeograph or carbon paper. 

SCISSOES AND PASTE. 

By way of diversion, to avoid too much 



30 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 



sameness, crosses and other symbols can be cut 
from colored cardboard or paper. In the latter 
case the form will be mounted on other paper 
in the form of a shield, banner, circle, vesica, 
or fleur-de-lis. 

Draw these forms on the blackboard for the 
children to copy with pencil. They should not 
be allowed to cut them out until the teacher is 
satisfied that the shape is the best the child can 
do. Here are some forms : 




The children should not cut designs because 
they are pretty. They should understand what 
they are doing. For this reason such symbols 
as I.H.S., ^D and fl jQ, unless they are dec- 
orations in"^" the church, should not be taught. 
When they are made, attention should be called 
to the part of the church in which the symbol 
will be found, and what it means. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDEKGARTEN. 31 

There are various styles of crosses to be 
made. Their names need not be taught except 
of the more noted, as St. Andrew's. An un- 
abridged dictionary or a work on heraldry will 
give illustrations of the many forms, the Latin 
cross, Calvary cross, Greek, St. Andrew's, St. 
Anthony's, cross of Jerusalem, Moline, Bot- 
tone, Patonce or Flory, Pommee, Becercele 
Maltese Crosslet, and Irish cross. Crosses can 
be made plain, with a circle, or with rays. 

Besides crosses, other appropriate designs 
would be the star for Christmas, triangle or 
trefoil for Trinity Sunday, the crown for As- 
cension, cross and crown for All Saints, the an- 
chor, sword, etc. The Latin cross is suitable 
for Palm Sunday, while the same with rays 
would be used on Easter. This latter might be 
red on a white background with gilt rays. 

The symbols of the apostles and saints are 
not very suitable for children. But it might be 
well to have them learn the symbol of the saint 
after which their parish is named. Some of 
them are comparatively easy, as St. Andrew's 
cross, St. Paul's sword, St. Matthias' axe, St. 
James' club, St. Peter's keys, St. Laurence's 
gridiron, and St. Sebastian's arrow. When the 



32 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

design is placed on the blackboard, hang a large 
picture of the saint on the wall, or give a small 
picture card of the saint to each child. These 
can be obtained by Church publishers from 
England. If there is a pictured window in the 
church of the saint, call attention to it. After 
the school session, take them quietly in to see it. 
Teachers must use their judgment about al- 
lowing pupils to take material home to make 
these designs there, where more time would be 
had, and more pains could be taken. The priv- 
ilege might be granted as a reward of merit, or 
the material might be sold to them for a nom- 
inal sum. If the privilege is abused, it must 
be withdrawn. In granting it, no favoriteism 
must be shown ; all must be treated alike. 



VIII. 

OEAL TEACHING AND OBJECT 
LESSONS. 

Of course all teaching must be oral, even the 
Creed and Lord's Prayer, and specially the 
Little Catechism given in Chapter VI., and the 
hymns. These should be recited in concert, and 
excepting the hymns, by each child separately, 
at least to the teacher, and if possible before the 
whole class. 

- In placing a picture upon the wall, tell the 
story, pointing to the personages and objects 
named. Then have one of the children repeat 
the story aloud, permitting corrections where 
necessary. If an error or omission is made, 
encourage other children to hold up their hands. 
This will excite attention, keenness, and in- 



34 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

terest. But permit no interruption to the child 
reciting, unless the error is ' gross. After the 
story is finished, ask those who held up hands 
what correction they wish to make, approving 
or disapproving, as may be deserved. 

Perry, Brown, and Wilde have penny pic- 
tures of Biblical subjects. Some smaller ones 
are only a half cent. Distribute the same pic- 
ture to each child, and explain it, telling the 
story. This could be better done if there was 
a large one to hang on the wall. Allow the 
child to take the small picture home. Or it 
might be mounted, making a paper frame for 
it at the table. Or tell the child to mount and 
frame it at home, and bring it to the teacher to 
see. In any case, allow the picture to be kept. 

Hold up a Bible. Ask : 

What Booh is it? The Bible. 

Whose Boole is it? God's. 

Here is another Booh; what is it? Prayer Book. 

Where is it used? By people in church. 

What is this? A surplice. 

Who wears it? The minister in church. 

It would be very impressive to march the 
children once in awhile into the church. Lead 
them to the front seat. Cause them to kneel as 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 35 

they take their places for a simple, silent 
prayer. If a service is to follow, Psalm xix. 
14 and 15, is appropriate. If no service fol- 
lows, then Psalm lxxxiv. 1 and 2, or other ap- 
propriate words. 

Stand at the pulpit and ask: 

What is this ? 
What is it used for ? 

Then stand at the lectern, ask: 

What is this? 
What book is on it? 

Standing at the font : 

What is this? 

What is it used for? 

Who of you have been baptized ? 

What does Baptism make you ? The child of God. 

Then can be repeated the lesson about this 
subject in Chapter VI. 

If the font is at the door, explain reason. 
At the Bishop's chair ask : 

What is this ? 

Who sits in it when he comes? 

Who is our Bishop ? 

If possible, show a picture of the Bishop, 
that he may be recognized when he comes. 
Advance to the altar with the greatest rever- 



36 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

ence. In fact it might be well to have a clergy- 
man or lay server ask these questions. If one 
of them cannot be obtained, the regular teacher 
can do so in a manner to impress the children. 

What is this? 

What do we celebrate on it? 

Who is specially present in that service? Our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

How? By His Body and Blood. 

Under what form? Under the form of Bread 
and Wine. 

If flowers or candles are used to decorate the 
altar, ask why? In honor of Him who is 
present. When lilies or roses are used, call at- 
tention to the Song of Solomon II. If lights 
are used, repeat the text: "I am the Light of 
the world." 

Some of the symbols of the decorations 
should be explained : Wheat and grapes, from 
which elements for the Holy Communion are 
selected ; the palm, as emblem of victory. 

Attention should be called to the color of the 
hangings, where it is customary to conform to a 
sequence. But this need only be done on not- 
able days. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 37 

For all these explanations, Hymn 484 is 
appropriate : 

We love the place, O God. 



IX. 

THE CHUECH YEAE. 

It would be both futile and impracticable to 
follow the Church Year through every Sunday. 
Few adults can grasp the appropriateness of 
the Proper Psalms, the lessons for Morning 
and Evening Prayer, the Eucharistic Epistles 
and Gospels; how then can children under- 
stand the Church's method of individualizing 
each Sunday. But the themes of the principal 
days should be brought out, and foundations 
thus be laid. 

ADVENT SUNDAY. 

This is the beginning of the Church Year. 
Before Jesus came the first time, God sent His 
messenger, John the Baptist (show picture) to 
prepare men for it. We are preparing to cele- 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 39 

brate that coming at Christmas. This should 
remind us to prepare for His second coming 
when He will judge us whether good or bad, to 
reward the good and punish the bad. We must 
think about this in all we do or say. Our 
text is — 

"thou god seest me." 
Put on the blackboard an all-seeing eye. 
A verse for all to say : 

My God can see 
Both you and me, 
Can see at night 
As in the light, 
And all we do, 
Remember, too. 

FROM FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT TO FIRST 
AFTER EPIPHANY. 

This will always give three and sometimes 
four Sundays for the Christmas story. Eepeti- 
tion is advantageous, but the story can be varied 
and thus made easier to remember. The lesson 
for the Fourth Sunday in Advent should be 
preparatory; that for the First Sunday after 
Christmas a review with questions on what has 
been told. Pictures will be shown of the man- 
ger, the angels, and the wise men. The Ger« 



40 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

mans have plaster figures to represent the whole 
scene. Card cribs may be obtained which can 
be extended from three to six inches, showing 
the figures of the manger. If it can be afford- 
ed, a very small one could be given each child, 
or a large one on the desk could be displayed. 

The star would be the principal symbol; to 
be placed on the blackboard in colored chalk; 
to be cut out of cardboard (gilt preferred) ; or 
having very thin cardboard, to which holly and 
other evergreen leaves could be sewed. If these 
be made on the Fourth Sunday in Advent, it 
would please the children to select as many as 
are well made for decorating the school wall. 
Some might look on this as Sunday work, in 
which case have a special session during the 
week. 

These Sundays may be thus apportioned. 
On the Fourth Sunday in Advent the story in 
brief and, possibly, star-making. On Christ- 
mas or the Sunday after, the story enlarged and 
manger or crib exhibited. On the First Sun- 
day after Epiphany, review and questions. 

QUINQUAGESIMA AND SUNDAYS IN LENT. 

Jesus fasted forty days, so should we. Next 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 41 

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the first day of 
Lent, and of the fast. From Wednesday until 
Easter, omitting Sundays, is forty days. 

The children should be told not to buy any 
candy, but save their pennies for the Easter 
offering. Ask them to do without butter on 
their bread, sugar in their coffee, or to deny 
themselves something they like. They should 
go to some of the Lenten services. Let them 
select certain days, and tell them never to miss 
those days. 

The pyramids will be given out and ex- 
plained. 

Eepeat all this on the First Sunday in Lent. 
On the Second Sunday give a mission talk for 
the benefit of the pyramids. Encourage them 
to earn their Lenten money, shovelling snow, 
running errands, washing dishes, etc. 

On the Fourth Sunday in Lent, the children 
should be examined as to how they have kept 
Lent. Those who have failed should be en- 
couraged to begin over; those who have not 
started, to begin now. 

On the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Latin crosses 
might be cut, and a picture of the Crucifixion 
shown. 



42 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

On Palm Sunday tell them, "This is Holy 
Week." Dwell specially on the Institution of 
the Lord's Supper (Maundy Thursday) and 
Crucifixion (Good Friday). 

Eot to confuse the mind, three pictures only 
need to be shown, the two named above, and the 
burial. While Da Vinci's picture of the Insti- 
tution may be the most artistic, to impress 
children Hofmann's is better, because the pos- 
tures are reverential and earnest. 

EASTEE. 

Text: "The third day He rose again from 
the dead." 

The pyramids are collected. If the whole 
school goes into the church, it is more impres- 
sive to present them upon the altar. 

A prettier custom to that of giving Easter 
cards, is giving each child a blooming pansy, 
with a resurrection lesson. 

BEFORE AND AFTER THE ASCENSION. 

Show a picture of the Ascension and of 
Christ sitting in glory. 

Text : "He ascended into heaven and sitteth 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 43 

on the right hand of God the Father Al- 
mighty." 

To encourage the children to come to 
church on Ascension day, Mrs. Morrison (wife 
of the Bishop of Duluth) has Ascension cards 
printed, sold cheaply, and one could be prom- 
ised to every child attending the service. Ad- 
dress: Mrs. J. D. Morrison, Duluth, Minn. 

WHITSUNDAY. 

The altar will be in red, the color of fire. 
If a dove can be obtained, exhibit it, together 
with a picture of Christ's Baptism. 

TRINITY SUNDAY. 

Cut triangles, trefoils, etc. Sing Gloria 
Patri. 

In the Little Catechism, the second part. 

SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, AND SUNDAY BEFORE 
ADVENT. 

Hymn 537 — Glory to the blessed Jesus. 

Explain each verse with a picture of the 
event celebrated. These pictures should be the 
same as those shown when the day itself was 
explained, that is, pictures with which the chil- 
dren have become familiar. 



44 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 
SUNDAYS AFTEB TEINITY. 

Two things which prevail will ruin the use- 
fulness of any school. The first is changing the 
hour from afternoon to morning in summer and 
back again at autumn. It always takes two or 
three Sundays after the change to get the 
school in working order. Theoretically it may 
be a good plan, practically it upsets the even 
tenor of the school. Children forget the 
change, or the new hour, or not being in the 
habit of attending at that particular hour, drop 
out. ISTew scholars from non-Church families 
are seldom enrolled. The change is pernicious. 

What is worse, is closing the school in sum- 
mer, because some people go out of town. Are 
all others then to be deprived of Church priv- 
ileges? It is only the rich who close their 
houses. Even the well-to-do leave town only 
for a few weeks. The poor are always with us. 
A Sunday School without children of the poor 
is not half a school. It lacks one of the ele- 
ments of a Catholic parish. 

We will suppose the school will be continued 
all summer, and at the usual hour. During 
these Sundays after Trinity, there will be no 
breaks in the lesson by reason of great festivals. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 45 

More attention, therefore, can be given to con- 
secutive teaching. This should be varied some- 
times. Special attention can be given to sew- 
ing and drawing cards, sometimes to cutting 
and sometimes to drills or music rehearsals. 
These rules should be observed : 

1. Do not tire the children by attention to 
one thing during the whole teaching hour. De- 
vote most of it to one thing, and then vary it 
with something else, a drill, or picture explana- 
tion, or something which will not distract the 
mind from the principal thought of the day. 

2. Do not change the style of the lesson 
every Sunday. Let the lesson be of the same 
character for three or four consecutive Sun- 
days, so as to impress it on the minds. Then 
change. In the course of two or three months, 
come back to the lesson of several months past, 
especially in the fall, when children return to 
the school after the summer's heat. 

3. Have frequent reviews. If the requisite 
for an orator is action, action, ACTION'; for 
teaching little children the key-word is repeti- 
tion, repetition, EEPETITIOIST. 



KEWABDS OF MEEIT. 

Rewards to children are not intended as 
bribes, but incentives. Some system for their 
distribution must be devised by teachers, ac- 
cording to the needs of the pupils. Dupanloup 
in his treatise on catechising, calls it "The 
game of good marks." The following are sug- 
gestions : 

Suppose the Little Catechism is being heard, 
the children answering in turn. One fails. 
Hands go up. Select the one next in order to 
the one failing; if the answer is correct, the 
child earns a merit. The same may happen if 
there is a review of the explanation of a pic- 
ture. All this cultivates attention and memory. 

Where circumstances will admit of children 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 47 

coining to church, and this should be a great 
aim of the Sunday School, give a merit for 
every such attendance. On such week-days as 
Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, or 
Ascension day, give a picture of the event. 

The Young Churchman Co., of Milwaukee, 
issue some very appropriate small copies of the 
Old Masters, twelve for 20 cents; also illumi- 
nated border-cards containing the Creed and 
Lord's Prayer on one card, the Ten Command- 
ments, and simple morning and night prayers 
for little children. 

When work is assigned to be done at home, 
or voluntarily done, give a merit mark. One 
of the troubles of the day is leaving all religious 
study and training to the Sunday School, in- 
stead of parents and godparents attending to 
the matter at home. 

When the Lord's Prayer, or Creed, or Ten 
Commandments, or the Little Catechism has 
been learnt, and a perfect recitation given, as 
many as three merit marks might be allowed. 
If any should learn the whole Catechism, and 
some children are precocious enough to do so, 
some special reward should be given. This 
must be selected according to the social position 



48 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

of the child. It should be something Churchly, 
a framed Bible Picture, a story book, or a Tes- 
tament. 

In keeping a record of merits, a child should 
receive a small ticket, that can be kept. Ten 
merits or little tickets earn a large card. Ten 
(some might think five) large cards earn a 
book. The first given should be a small Prayer 
Book, unless the child has one. A combination 
Prayer Book and Hymnal, or a Bible, is a good 
alternative, though it might be well to increase 
the number of large cards earning one of them. 

ISTo rewards should be given for school at- 
tendance. It should be made so attractive that 
the children will desire to come. Upon no 
other kind can an impression be made. But 
it is well to give each child present a little 
Sunday School paper. The only one published 
as a Church paper adapted to the understand- 
ing of little ones is The Shepherd's Arms, pub- 
lished by The Young Churchman Co., of Mil- 
waukee. There are cheaper "non-sectarian" 
papers published ; they can afford to be cheaper, 
because they cater to a larger clientage, which 
cares nothing about a definite Christian faith. 
But never use anything because it is cheap. It 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 49 

is better to pay a little more and drop Churchly 
seed. 

Occasionally by way of diversion, near the 
close of the session, let each child hold its own 
paper, looking at the picture while the story is 
being read. The children will often want the 
story read out of their paper. This honor can 
be conferred either in rotation, or as a reward. 

Three or four times a year, say at Christ- 
mas, Easter, and in September, a report should 
be made to the class, and the children graded 
accordingly. Those who have won honors 
should have their names written on the black- 
board. 

On the page following is given a sample of 
a report for children to take home. 

This will take a great deal of trouble, but 
no trouble should be regarded as too great to 
make the school effective. The reports might 
be made out by some of the older pupils in the 
parish school, or in the Bible class. 

For perfect reports, prizes might be offered, 
such as wearing a celluloid button having the 
name of the parish on it. The Young Church- 
man Co., Milwaukee, also supply stars, bearing 
the name of the Sunday School, and also ster- 



50 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 



Church S. S. (Infant Department). 


Report of 


From to inclusive. 


Number of times prompt 


Number of times late 


Number of times present 




Total number of Sundays 


Number of Sundays in Church 


Number of merit marks won 




Amount of contributions 


REMARKS. 


, Teacher. 


, Rector. 


Parents will kindly sign this report and 


send it back to the teacher, which will earn the 


child a merit mark. The report will be returned 


if desired. Parents are invited to visit the class 


and thus encourage the children. 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 51 

ling silver crosses for the purpose, at small ex- 
pense. 

Another reward is the honor of promotion to 
the main school. This should be held out to 
them as something desirable. But no child 
should be so promoted until it can read some, 
say nearly through the second reader of our 
public schools, and can say the Creed, Lord's 
Prayer, and Ten Commandments. 



XL 

MISSIONS OF THE CHUKCH. 

Children should be taught about missions as 
well as adults. Probably one reason why so 
many adults are indifferent to missions is not 
merely from selfishness, but because the sub- 
ject received little if any attention when young. 
Missions are the outward expressions of an in- 
ward faith. We believe that Christianity is the 
only true religion, hence we would convert all 
worshippers of false religions. We believe that 
the Church is the historic Church for the Eng- 
lish race, and would bring into it all members 
of man-made organizations. We teach this to 
children, and our action shows we mean it. 

Generally by missions, people mean foreign 
missions, but undoubtedly the work of Domes- 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 53 

tic and Diocesan missions largely means con- 
verting sectarians to the Church. Do not sep- 
arate the growth of the Church and missions, 
whether they be among the heathen or among 
our unchurched or separated brethren. 

Some of the children may have at home, 
boxes of the Babies' Branch of the Woman's 
Auxiliary, in which case they will know some- 
thing about the subject. Giving out the pyra- 
mids during Lent will be one of the best occa- 
sions of telling about the missionary work of 
the Church. But the talks then must be short, 
because the discipline of the season, and the 
events of Holy Week, will occupy so much time. 
A day in the fall, or after Easter, or the Sec- 
ond Sunday after Epiphany, as recommended 
by the General Convention, might be entirely 
given up to the cause. The hymn would be, 
"Eling out the banner," sung as formerly di- 
rected. 

The Domestic and Foreign Missionary So- 
ciety will gladly send literature for the chil- 
dren. Only those with illustrations should be 
used. The children's edition of the Spirit of 
Missions, issued before Lent, contains excellent 
suggestions. Comparisons between children un- 



54 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

der Christianity and heathenism can be drawn. 
Stories about the child widows of India, feet- 
binding in China, babes exposed to death all 
over heathendom, superstitions amulets of 
Africa, can be graphically told. If curios 
from these lands can be borrowed, the children 
will be more than interested. 

When a child has been made a missionary, a 
steadfast Christian and Churchman has also 
been made. 



XII. 
VISITING. 

Remembering that the object of a Sunday 
School is to prepare children for Confirmation, 
not the mere reception of the outward form, but 
its inward spirit, we can understand that the 
pastoral work of the school is as important as 
imparting the necessary knowledge. Primar- 
ily, visiting the lambs of the nock belongs to 
the Rector. He will probably make inquiries 
concerning them when visiting the families of 
the parish. But the little ones do not come into 
contact with him, as with the teacher. So this 
work of visiting will fall upon the teacher or 
assistant. 

Where teachers have secular employment 
during the week, visiting may be impossible. 



56 A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 

In that case, some older scholar of the school 
or member of the congregation whom the child 
would be apt to know, should perform the duty. 
Those parishes have an advantage which are 
able to support a district visitor, or deaconess, 
or member of some sisterhood. In case of sick- 
ness, the child must always be visited, and flow- 
ers, picture papers, and cards carried to it. If 
there is a long convalescence, some of the cut- 
ting, drawing, or sewing of the school might be 
brought to be done at home, and thus while 
away time in a profitable manner. 

Visits by the teacher are the opportunity to 
develope the devotional side of the child. In 
the school-room, so much attention is necessar- 
ily given to imparting knowledge, that little 
time is left to inquire into the personal life. 
Are prayers said night and morning ? Is truth 
and purity in thought and language observed? 
What are the individual vices which need re- 
straining ? Is the child conceited, vain, selfish ? 
What virtues can be developed ? 

Visits reveal the domestic life of the child/ 
Are the home surroundings such as tend to 
piety? In the houses of the poor, observe 
whether religious pictures hang upon the wall 



A SUNDAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN. 57 

to cultivate taste. If not, give the child one 
framed. In a city parish, there should always 
be a small sum set aside for such charitable use. 
It might be well to have the child earn the 
picture. 

But one other thing remains to be said. The 
teacher should pray for her little ones. Then 
if she conscientiously tries to follow the sugges- 
tions of this book, adapting them to conditions, 
she will have done her duty. She cannot very 
well follow the children into the higher depart- 
ments of the school, except to have a warm 
greeting for them at chance meetings. Neither 
can we follow them. We have tried to show 
how the little tots can learn the first principles 
of our most holy religion. God bless them and 
make them steadfast ! 



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